Abstract: A high-efficiency yield-increasing exploitation method for natural gas hydrates includes steps of drilling of natural gas hydrate reservoirs along horizontal wells, seepage increasing by fracturing for fracture forming and stability improvement by grouting in the natural gas hydrate reservoirs, and yield improvement by combined exploitation of depressurization of the horizontal wells and heat injection; according to the present invention, drilling time is shortened by rapid drilling along the horizontal wells, the permeability of the reservoirs can be effectively improved by fracturing for fracture forming, the stability of the reservoirs can be improved by injecting foam cement slurry into the reservoirs, and the yield of the natural gas hydrates can be improved by the combined exploitation method of depressurization of the horizontal wells and heat injection.

Abstract: An environmentally safe process for the recycling of spent electrical equipment, such as electrical transformers, comprises placing intact equipment within a furnace and burning the combustible materials, including PCB-contaminated insulating oil. Following combustion, the equipment is cooled, disassembled, and the various metals and porcelain are recycled.

Abstract: A flexible quilt collects and absorbs solar energy, and transfers heat to the underlying ground, water or other medium. It includes insulating gastight compartments which are located between an upper film and a lower film. The upper film has a high transmissability of ultraviolet and infrared energy directed downwardly therethrough, and it is reflective of infrared energy impinging on its lower surfaces. The lower film is absorbtive of solar energy and is modified to enhance the thermal conductivity through its thickness. To promote heat transfer to the underlying medium, the lower film is deformed to increase its surface area, a plurality of downward projections extending from each area of the lower film associated with each gastight compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treatment of particulate mixtures such as a mixture of solid particles, which is to be depleted in, enriched by or treated with a fluid, or wherein the mixture acts as a treatment medium for a fluid passing through same. The apparatus is of the type operating with an advancing bed of the particulate material. It utilizes walls permeable by at least a portion of the fluid. The apparatus is of the type of tubular, rectangular or the like vessel having only stationary parts and subdivided by a selected combination of permeable and non-permeable walls into separate chambers into or from which the fluid can be delivered or removed. The movement of the particulate mixture is effected solely by forcing same through a passage having preferably but not exclusively an annular chamber, by pumping, by gravity or by a combination of both. Additional throttling or valve means are employed to selectively control the advancement of the bed through the device.